Athsho – The Fire God
378. INDIA, Kushan Empire. Huvishka. Circa AD 152-192. AV Dinar (20mm, 7.90 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Late phase. Nimbate, diademed, and crowned half-length bust left on clouds, holding mace-scepter and filleted spear over shoulder / Athsho standing right, flames about head and shoulders, holding blacksmith’s hammer over shoulder and pair of tongs; & to left. MK 211 (O1/R – [unlisted rev. die]); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns 248. Toned. Good VF. Extremely rare, only two examples, including this coin, in CoinArchives. ($2500) From the Archytas Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 72 (14 June 2006), lot 1086. Athsho was a representation of the Zoroastrian concept of holy fire. He is also linked with Hephaistos, the Olympian god of fire and metalworking.
Extremely Rare Oaninda Dinar
379. INDIA, Kushan Empire. Huvishka. Circa AD 151-190. AV Dinar (20.5mm, 7.90 g, 12h). Main mint in Baktria (Balkh?). Late phase. sÅo˜Å˜osÅo oo Is˚i ˚osŘO, nimbate and crowned bust left on clouds, flames at shoulders, holding mace-scepter and filleted spear / oŘ i˜dÅ (sic), winged Oanindo (Nike-Victory) standing left, holding wreath and scepter; & to right. MK 243 (O1/R2) = Cribb & Bracey E.G1v = FdS 218 = BM inv. 1879, 0501.18 (same dies); ANS Kushan –; Donum Burns –; CNG 64, lot 556 (this coin). VF. Extremely rare, only two examples, including this coin, in CoinArchives. ($5000) From the Archytas Collection. Ex Classical Numismatic Group 64 (24 September 2003), lot 556. The figure of Oanindo is patterned on the Classical Nike, a type that was well-known to the inhabitants of the region. The name may derive from the Avestan Vanainti, a star and goddess associated with Verethragna (Varahran), the god who appears on Kushan coinage as Orlagno.
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